DOES THE BACKREST RECLINE ON THE ZACKBACK Posture Chair?
No. A reclining backrest distorts one’s sitting posture, especially the proper upright relationship of the head, neck, and upper back.

A healthy sitting posture involves proper activation of the abdominal and back muscles. Sitting in a reclined posture has the opposite effect: a relaxation of the trunk musculature. An individual sitting in a reclined posture has the same trunk muscle activity as an unconscious person.

Reclining is not a natural sitting posture. An individual sits in a reclined position for one of two reasons: 1) The design of the chair forces one to sit with the upper trunk displaced behind the hips or 2) Due to the fatigue from sitting in an incorrect upright posture.

After one’s body adapts to ZACKBACK’s healthy upright sitting posture, sitting in a reclined position in other chairs feels awkward and uncomfortable.

DOES THE SEAT TILT FORWARD ON THE ZACKBACK Posture Chair?
No. A forward slope to the seat causes the pelvis to slide slightly forwards, away from the lower sacral support. Besides inhibiting proper backrest stabilization, a forward-sloping seat results in a forward displacement of one’s center of gravity.

In order to stabilize one’s trunk with a forward-sloping seat, the tendency is to slump forward and support the weight of the trunk through the arms. This is accomplished through excessive weight bearing on the armrests of the chair, the front edge of the desk, or a wrist support in front of the keyboard. The resulting posture is a high-risk position for developing carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, neck pain, and back pain.

As opposed to a forward-sloping seat, the ZACKBACK Posture Chair has a slight backward-sloping seat, along with a contoured surface for the buttocks, and a woven seat fabric. All of these chair features eliminate the tendency to slide forwards on the seat. The end result is proper backrest stabilization and a decreased energy expenditure.

In addition, the thoracic support of the ZACKBACK Posture Chair stabilizes the rib cage. This eliminates the need to slump forwards and stabilize one’s trunk through the arms.

IS THE SEAT ON THE ZACKBACK Posture Chair FIRM OR SOFT?
The ZACKBACK seat is intentionally firm, to provide proper pelvic stabilization and to prevent the coccyx (tail bone) from weight bearing on the seat. The combination of a contoured surface for the buttocks along with the proper density neoprene foam results in a firm and comfortable seat for long-term sitting.

A soft seat not only results in an unstable sitting surface, but it prevents proper weight shifting and actually ends up feeling uncomfortable with long-term sitting.

HOW DOES ONE ADJUST THE ZACKBACK Posture Chair?
Fitting instructions are included with each ZACKBACK Posture Chair. However, you cannot adjust the ZACKBACK Posture Chair by yourself. While you are sitting in the ZACKBACK chair, an assistant (friend, spouse, co-worker) stands behind the chair and makes the adjustments for you. It takes approximately twenty minutes to adjust the ZACKBACK chair to your unique anatomy and body type.

Unlike so-called ergonomic chairs with several adjustment levers, once the ZACKBACK chair is adjusted properly for you, no adjustments need to be made throughout the day.

Due to the precise individual fit of the ZACKBACK Posture Chair, it is intended to be used by only one person.

WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS TO USING THE ZACKBACK Posture Chair?
The only contraindication to using the ZACKBACK Posture Chair is a fixed thoracic kyphosis (a fixed round back deformity).

CAN OTHER CHAIRS DUPLICATE ZACKBACK’s UNIQUE SITTING POSTURE?
No. Due to the precise sacral and lower thoracic support adjustments in height, depth, and angle; the firmness of the back supports; the angle of the backrest frame; and the seat slope, shape, and special fabric – it is not possible to duplicate ZACKBACK’s optimal healthy sitting posture in other chairs.

It is just as critical to the success of the ZACKBACK concept and chair to avoid support in areas that are almost always supported in other chairs. ZACKBACK’s critical areas of no support include the posterior buttocks, the lumbar spine, and the scapulae (shoulder blades). Supporting these areas distorts one’s sitting posture and results in a relaxation of critical trunk muscles and an inhibition of proper diaphragmatic breathing.